13 Must-Make Pasta Salad Recipes for Summer Picnics and Backyard BBQs

Is there anything more loved at a summer gathering than a great pasta salad? Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue or need a make-ahead side dish for the week, a good pasta salad recipe is always a hit.

We’ve rounded up 13 of our favorite recipes, ranging from light and fresh to hearty and loaded, so you’re sure to find one (or five) that fits exactly what you need.

One of our best-kept secrets for taking pasta salad from good to great is seasoning. We always recommend reaching for our pasta salad seasoning mix which adds just the right pop of flavor to an Italian salad. 

These recipes all share one thing in common: they’re crowd-pleasers that disappear fast. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it all season long.

1

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

If you're a pickle fan, this is the pasta salad recipe for you! It's cool, creamy, and has a flavor unlike any other pasta salad.

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2

BLT Pasta Salad

This BLT pasta salad brings all the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich to a bowl, using pasta in place of bread. Crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and lettuce are tossed in a creamy mayo dressing.

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3

Amish Macaroni Salad

Our old-fashioned macaroni salad recipe is a simple, 10 ingredient side dish with a lightly sweet and tangy dressing that makes it perfect for picnics.

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4

Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek pasta salad is a light and flavorful dish that uses minimal ingredients but brings classic Mediterranean flavors finished with a simple vinegrette.

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5

Cowboy Pasta Salad

Looking for a way to add more protein into your summer cookout menu? This cowboy pasta salad is loaded with lean ground beef, smoked sausage, and bacon and is tossed in a smoky mayo barbecue sauce.

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6

Tomato Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta

This tomato orzo pasta salad is a simple and summer-y dish made with fresh tomatoes, orzo pasta, and feta cheese, tossed in a fresh basil vinaigrette. The orzo soaks up the dressing and gives this pasta salad a flavorful punch.

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7

Bowtie Pasta Salad

Our bright and colorful bowtie pasta salad recipe features a cool, creamy herbed dressing and is easy to customize with your favorite garden veggies.

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8

Chickpea Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean-inspired chickpea pasta salad is packed with chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese, all brought together with a tangy lemon-garlic dressing.

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9

Taco Pasta Salad

Taco pasta salad combines bold taco flavors with pasta, seasoned taco beef, beans, tomatoes, and a simple three-ingredient sauce.

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10

Classic Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Our classic Italian pasta salad is summer comfort food at its best, featuring tri-color rotini, colorful vegetables, cheese, and pepperoni in a zesty dressing. This is the one that is regularly at our summer picnics!

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11

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is loaded with roasted corn, Cotija and cheddar cheeses, a creamy dressing, and jalapeños for a kick of heat.

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12

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Cheese-stuffed tortellini replaces regular pasta, making this Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad extra rich and satisfying. It's ready in under 30 minutes and is one of the easiest pasta salad recipes!

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13

Classic Tuna Macaroni Salad

A true Midwestern dish! This five-ingredient tuna macaroni salad is a potluck and picnic staple that never goes out of style. Keep it classic or add a few extras like celery and pickles for a little extra crunch and tang.

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